There are two basic kinds of shoeing - hot and
cold. Hot shoeing means the farrier heats the shoe
and shapes it to the horse's foot. Cold shoeing
means the farrier uses standard shoes and
basically fits your horse's hoof to the
appropriate size shoe. Both methods are fine, it
is a matter of personal taste as to which one you
choose. Sometimes your vet may recommend one over
the other depending on the health of your horse's
feet.
After shoeing you need to pick out your horse's
feet every day and after each ride. Stones and
other objects can become lodged inside the shoe
causing lameness in your horse. Another concern is
if your horse is standing in mud and/or manure for
long periods. This can cause the hoof to become
soft, rotten and lead to diseases like thrush. Try
to move your horse to a drier area and if that is
not possible clean the hooves more frequently and
take your horse out of the mud, rinse the feet and
let them dry out. Hoof dressing can help protect
the feet, apply it to a clean dry hoof.
There are many books available from stores and
your library on horse care in general and hoof
care in particular. This is just an overview.
There are many kinds of shoes and methods of
shoeing for different breeds and uses. Take care
of your horse's feet and legs and you will enjoy
him being sound for many years.
The
Horse that Lags Behind
It is important to teach the horse how you
expect it to act by taking your time and
building a foundation one lesson at a time. More...
